Working with the Media Building relationships with local media

Working with the MediaBuilding relationships with local media

© 2011, National Association of Health Underwriters • www.nahu.org

Take Advantage of Local Media

“The world is all gates, all opportunities, strings of tension waiting to be struck.”

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

• NAHU tools on the web• Building a media list• Become a spokesperson

© 2011, National Association of Health Underwriters • www.nahu.org

NAHU Tools on the Web

Make your life a little easier

© 2011, National Association of Health Underwriters • www.nahu.org

Training Tools

Visit the Media & Communications: For Chapters webpage

• Tips and Tricks• Media Moment• Writing Pointers• Sound Bytes

• Webinars• Working with the Media• Award Criteria• The Art of a Media Interview

• Guidebooks• “How To” Media Guide for Members• And much more!

© 2011, National Association of Health Underwriters • www.nahu.org

Media Templates

Localize and forward materials already available

• Press releases• Media advisories• Opinion editorials• Letters to the editor• Video clips• Radio PSAs• Advertisements• Event plans• Brochures

© 2011, National Association of Health Underwriters • www.nahu.org

Legislative Information

Have the most updated information at your fingertips

• Read the “Washington Update”• Keep in touch with NAHU’s

legislative staff: Brooke Bell• Know your local legislative

committee members• Establish a relationship with state

and national legislative representatives and their staff

© 2011, National Association of Health Underwriters • www.nahu.org

Build a Media List

We can help!

Upon request, we will search a national media database to find reporters and editors in your area. We will send you:• Print media list• Broadcast media list• Sample letter of introduction• Tips on how to keep list updated

© 2011, National Association of Health Underwriters • www.nahu.org

First Contact

Make the best first impression

• Contact a reporter by:• Sending an email• Making a phone call• Introducing yourself at an event• Networking through a friend

• Have a specific purpose• Don’t:

• Send snail-mail or fax• Just “drop by”• Let a month go by without contact

© 2011, National Association of Health Underwriters • www.nahu.org

Update Information

If it’s more than six months old…

• Newspapers have always had a high turnover rate, and it’s only getting worse.

• Pay attention to bylines: Who is writing about insurance/health care reform?

• Look out for local blogs, newsletters and forums.

© 2011, National Association of Health Underwriters • www.nahu.org

Become a Media Spokesperson

Establish yourself as an expert

© 2011, National Association of Health Underwriters • www.nahu.org

Find Your Hook

What do you know that everyone else should too?

When pitching a story idea, make sure your proposal is:• Local• Timely• Unique• Personal/Relatable

© 2011, National Association of Health Underwriters • www.nahu.org

Know What to Say

Plan ahead: “Knowing is half the battle”

© 2011, National Association of Health Underwriters • www.nahu.org

Sample Questions

Ready to give it a try?

Turn to your neighbor and ask one of the following questions. Then let them take a turn.• What is the value of using a health insurance agent?• Why do health care premiums continue to rise even after

health care reform was passed?• What is a health insurance "navigator” and what will their

role be in our state?• What resource are available to help consumers find the

health care coverage they need?

© 2011, National Association of Health Underwriters • www.nahu.org

Media Spokesperson Database

Get on the list

© 2011, National Association of Health Underwriters • www.nahu.org

Questions?

What I’m an expert in:

• Newspapers (Want to know about being a reporter?)• Social Media (Thinking about starting a blog?) • Layout and Design (Any questions about the new logo?)• Literacy (Need a good book recommendation?)